Camera system and power supply for optical recording devices

ABSTRACT

A camera system includes a video camera having a first mating mechanism defined on a bottom, planar surface of the video camera. A battery assembly contains an energy cell and a first surface of the battery assembly is releasably engageable with the mounting mechanism such that the battery assembly is suspended beneath the video camera, with the bottom, planar surface of the video camera in substantial contact with the first surface. A support apparatus having a second mating mechanism is also provided, the second mating mechanism releasably engaging a second surface of the battery assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/716,017, filed Sep. 9, 2005, entitled “BATTERY MOUNTING SYSTEM” andU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/716,625, filed Sep. 13, 2005,entitled “BATTERY MOUNTING SYSTEM”, and is a divisional of co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/410,799 filed on Apr. 24, 2006, eachof the aforementioned applications being hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to an ergonomic camera system andpower supply for optical recording devices, and deals more particularlywith a method and apparatus for providing increased power capability andoperability to video cameras.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technological advances in recording digital video, recording media, andelectronics have led to video cameras of smaller size and weight. Thesesmaller “hand-held” video cameras are replacing “shoulder mounted” videocameras of nearly 6 times the volume and weight. A typical “handheld”video camera is designed to operate with one hand, thus freeing theoperator from a bulky load on his shoulder.

However, the power requirements of these handheld video cameras have notbeen reduced in similar proportions to their reduction in size andweight. Indeed, today's video cameras commonly require 50% of the powerthat earlier cameras 600% larger would consume. The batteries generallyprovided with these cameras are physically small, limited in theirability to power the cameras for extended periods of time and aregenerally considered unreliable for long service life or professionaluse. Many of these batteries were designed for the intermittent duty ofa consumer camera and are included with professional video camerasprimarily to reduce the overall manufactured cost.

The batteries included with known handheld video cameras often define afootprint (length and width) for their mounting means that is itselfsmall in area, and therefore only allows for extending the batteryoutwardly from the camera body, resulting in an awkward and mostlyunusable dimension. Also, the footprint does not allow for the increasein the size of the cells used in the battery. Therefore, improving theperformance or quality of the battery is virtually impossible.

The reduction in size and weight of known handheld video cameras alsocreates a problem in the physics behind the ability of a pan and tilthead to properly control the movement of the camera. As the camera massis lessened, the ability of the head to dampen unwanted movements madeby the operator is also lessened. Moreover, the lightweight of smallervideo cameras actually requires at least as heavy a tripod base in orderto provide a stable shooting platform.

Thus, the reduction in size and weight of handheld cameras has caused aproblem for both the power source and the stabilizing devices typicallyused, especially by professionals, to operate the camera to generatequality video productions. Ironically, both designers of stabilizingdevices and designers of power sources have been forced to add at leastas much weight to the operating system—camera, battery, head andtripod—as the camera manufacturer eliminated in reducing the size andoverall weight of video camera devices in the first place.

Numerous stabilizing devices have been developed for these handheldvideo cameras. These devices typically add to the operators weightburden both in camera operation and in the weight of gear necessary tocarry to a location. These devices are often awkward and mitigate thesize and weight benefits, and operating convenience, that small cameraswere intended to offer.

Still further, the reduction in the size of the camera body has leftlittle room to add or attach accessory devices. Virtually every squareinch of the outer surfaces of the video camera are dedicated to somefunctional aspect—lens, input, output connectors, viewfinders, LCDmonitors, handle and media compartments.

Classically, there is one notable exception to the use of a video camerabody surface for functional operations. The base, or bottom, planarsurface, of known video cameras are left relatively flat and absent ofany function other than to provide a mounting surface for a pan and lilthead, tripod or the like.

Conversely, in still image cameras it has been known to locate a batteryaccessory beneath the base of the still camera, however the use of thebottom surface of video cameras has, to date, been stringently avoidedboth by video camera and accessory designers in order to not interferewith the mounting of the video camera to a support device, such as atripod. That is, the still photography field is substantially differentfrom the motion or video camera field in that still photography istraditionally effected by hand-held means, without the need for tripodsor the like. While still photography cameras are themselves oftentimesprovided with a threaded bore for optional mounting upon a tripod or thelike, the adaptation of a base-mounted battery for still photographycameras gained limited appeal because their hand-held use so rarelyentails the need for a tripod that the threaded bore typically wentunutilized in any event.

In stark contrast, video cameras are typically heavier then stillphotography cameras, are more susceptible to the detrimental effects ofimage shake and are typically utilized to record during movement, suchas during sporting events, television news programming or in theprofessional photography arena. For these reasons, video camerastypically employ tripods, or the like, over a significant portion oftheir working life, therefore designers and manufactures have neverimported the teachings of the still photography art in this regard.

With the forgoing problems and concerns in mind, it is the generalobject of the present invention to provide a battery assembly withincreased functionality that increases the total power available to anelectronic consumer, while also boosting operability and improving theergonomics of the electrical consumer. In particular, it is the generalobject of the present invention to provide a power supply for videocameras that utilizes the bottom, planar surface of the video camera,without impeding the functionality of the bottom, planar surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable powersupply for an optical recording device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portablepower supply for a video camera.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portablepower supply for a video camera in the form of a battery (or collectionthereof), a fuel cell or a combination of the two.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portablepower supply for a video camera that utilizes the bottom, planar surfaceof the vide camera for mounting thereon.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly having a housing that defines a first structural platform formounting to a support device, such as a pan and tilt head/tripod.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly having a housing that defines a second structural platform formounting to the bottom plane of a camera apparatus.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly which may be selectively detached from the video camera, in aquick-release fashion, without the need for specialized tools.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly that is selectively and releasably connected to a pan and tilthead/tripod, integrating one of several common mechanical mountingconnection means in the housing of the battery.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly that may be releasably mounted between the bottom, planarsurface of a video camera and a pan and tilt head/tripod, wherein thebattery assembly may be selectively replaced without mechanicallydecoupling the video camera from its pan and tilt head/tripod.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly having electrical contacts formed thereon for communicationwith matching electrical contacts formed on the bottom planar surface ofthe video camera, thereby providing electrical energy from the batteryto the video camera.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly having a power take-off aperture formed thereon for providingelectrical energy from the battery to the video camera via an electricalcord, or the like.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly for an optical recording device that improves the weightdistribution of an optical recording device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a batteryassembly that improves the ergonomics of an electrical device.

These and other objectives of the present invention, and their preferredembodiments, shall become clear by consideration of the specification,claims and drawings taken as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a video camera assembly according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a battery assembly and camera mount for use with thevideo camera assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the bottom of the battery assembly depicted in FIG.2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a battery assembly and a camera mount, according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates is a video camera assembly for use with the batteryassembly and camera mount of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates the capturing of a camera mount in the batteryassembly depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates a battery assembly having integral electricalterminals formed therein, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the battery assembly of FIG. 7 being mounted to the avideo camera assembly having electrical terminals disposed on thebottom, planar surface of the video camera assembly, in accordance withyet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates is the video camera assembly for use with the batteryassembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a video camera assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a battery clip assembly having integral electricalterminals formed therein for enabling electrical communication with amatable battery assembly, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 illustrates multiple battery clips being cascaded together, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a battery clip having a latching mechanism inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a video camera assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a video camera assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates the battery assembly and the camera mounting plateutilized in the video camera assembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 16A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mounting plate, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates the battery assembly of FIG. 16 with the mountingplate in its secured position.

FIG. 18 is a reverse-angle view of the plug portion of the adapter andpower cord assembly.

FIG. 19 illustrates the two piece power adapter.

FIG. 20 illustrates a partial back-side view of one half of the twopiece power adapter.

FIG. 21 illustrates the bottom of the battery assembly of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Known video cameras, both the hand-held variety and the larger,professional video cameras, are known to have a bottom, planar surfacethat is devoid of any structural or operational features, with theexception of a threaded bore and a positioning hole. It is also wellknown that the threaded bore and positioning hole that are defined onthe bottom, planar surface of typical video cameras are utilized tomount the video cameras to pan and tilt heads/tripods. In practice,known pan and tilt heads/tripods are themselves equipped with a threadedstud, or the like, for selective and threaded engagement with the videocamera's threaded bore, as well as having a location post for engagementwith the positioning hole.

Despite the advancements in the video camera art over the years, whichhave added an ever-increasing host of additional features to videocameras, such as flip-out observation/preview screens, a plurality ofediting buttons and the like, it will therefore be readily appreciatedthat manufacturers of known video cameras have assiduously avoideddefining any of these additional features on the bottom, planar surfaceof the video camera.

Indeed, the rationale for keeping the bottom, planar surface of videocameras sacrosanct in this regard is well appreciated in the art. Videocameras that are not mounted to pan and tilt heads/tripods arefrequently rested on their bottom, planar surface, thus any functionalbuttons or screens would be inaccessible (and subject to incidentdamage) if they were formed thereon. Moreover, especially in theprofessional video recording art, video cameras are almost universallymounted atop known pan and tilt heads/tripods during use, thereforekeeping the bottom, planar surface free of extraneous structures was ofimmense importance.

Owing to this known and universal ban on the development of the bottom,planar surface of video cameras to date, manufactures of accessorydevices, including battery manufacturers, have sought to utilize theother surfaces of video cameras to mount their devices thereon. Thus,and in particular, battery manufacturers have sought to develop batteryassemblies that extend outwardly from the back or side panels of videocameras, sometimes extending a great distance therefrom.

It will therefore be readily appreciated that the suspension of weightybattery assemblies some distance away from the rear, or side, panels ofknown video cameras is not only cumbersome to the user, but alsoproduces a net moment to the video camera itself, hampering bothstability and shake control and further fatiguing the user.

The present invention seeks to address these shortcomings, while notlimiting or adversely affecting the ability of video cameras to mount topan and tilt heads/tripods (hereinafter generally referred to as‘tripods’), or affecting their ability to be rested on their bottom,planar surface during use or storage.

FIG. 1 illustrates a video camera assembly 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the videocamera assembly 10 includes a battery assembly 12 having a housingcomprised of an upper first half 14 and a lower bottom half 16.Together, the matable upper half 14 and lower half 16 define an innerchamber for accommodating one or more energy cells therein. A printedcircuit board may also be located within the inner chamber, andoperatively connected to the energy cells, to be utilized in a knownfashion to assist in the management of the power cells, or the like.

In accordance with the present invention, the energy cells arepreferably rechargeable lithium ion batteries, or the like, however thepresent invention is not so limited in this regard as the energy cellsmay alternatively be any type or manner of portable power cells withoutdeparting from the broader aspects of the present invention.

Returning to FIG. 1, the battery assembly 12 is selectively andreleasably connected between a video camera 18 and a tripod assembly 20.The video camera 18 shown in FIG. 1 may be any of the various knownvideo cameras available on the market today, and includes anunillustrated threaded bore and a positioning hole formed in the bottomplanar surface of the video camera 18, as is known in the art.

The precise manner in which the battery assembly 12 is selectively andreleasably mounted to both the video camera 18 and the tripod assembly20 will be described in more detail later, however it will be readilyappreciated that the positioning of the battery assembly 12 beneath thebottom, planar surface of the video camera 18 represents an arrangementheretofore unknown in the art.

It is therefore an important aspect of the present invention that byoperatively connecting the battery assembly 12 to the bottom, planarsurface of the video camera 18, the present invention greatly increasesthe ergonomic configuration of the camera assembly 10 as a whole. Thatis, by locating the weight of the battery assembly 12 directly beneaththe video camera 18, as opposed to extending outwardly therefrom as inknown video camera systems, the present invention avoids the creation ofany unintended and undesirable moments to the camera assembly 10.Indeed, the weight of the battery assembly 12 works in concert with theattachment mechanisms (to be described in more detail later) to seat thevideo camera 18 even more firmly and with greater stability than wouldotherwise be possible if the battery assembly 12 were extendingoutwardly from the video camera 18.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a power adapter and cord 22, which isoperatively and electrically connected between the video camera 18 andthe battery assembly 12, and provides operating power from the batteryassembly 12 to the video camera 18 and its various accessories. As shownin FIG. 2, the power adapter and cord 22 includes a right angleconnector 24 for effectuating the electrical connection with the batteryassembly 12. It will readily be appreciated that the right angleconnector 24 resists disengagement from the housing of the batteryassembly 12 should the power adapter and cord 22 be pulled via its cordportion.

The power adapter and cord 22 of the present invention is adapted toreleasably mate to the existing battery terminals typically formed onthe back or sides of known video cameras, as illustrated in FIG. 1.Moreover, the housing of the power adapter is preferably formed as twohalves, a first half 23 and an integrally mated second half 25. Thefirst and second halves, 23 and 25 respectively, may be selectivelydisengageable from one another, thereby enabling the removal of thesecond half 25 from the video camera 18 during transportation or thelike, while leaving the first half 23 attached to the video camera 18.In this manner, the present invention permits the power cord and adapter22 to be quickly and easily attached or detached from the video camera18.

FIG. 2 illustrates a camera mount 26, which is utilized to selectivelyand releasably connect the battery assembly 12 to the camera assembly18. As shown in FIG. 2, the camera mount 26 comprises a low-profileplate which may be releasably and securely fixed into a close-fittingdepression 29 formed in the upper first half 14 of the battery assembly12 via the operation of an actuation lever 28. To assist in theselective fixing of the camera mount 26 to the battery assembly 12, thelow-profile plate includes chamfered or dove-tailed edges 30 that workin concert with matching edges of a pair of locking plates 32. Thelocking plates 32 are selectively driven towards one another, viaoperation of the actuation lever 28, to securely capture the edges 30 ofthe camera mount 26 therebetween.

While a pair of selectively retractable locking plates 32 have beendescribed, the present invention is not so limited in this regard, asonly a single, movable locking plate 32 may be provided, such that theselective movement of the single locking plate effectuates the capturingof the camera mount 26 in the close-fitting depression 29.

It is another important aspect of the present invention that theclose-fitting depression 29 is sized to substantially match thethickness of the camera mount 26. That is, when secured within theclose-fitting depression 29, the top, exposed surface of the cameramount 26 is substantially flush with the upper first half 14 of thebattery assembly 12. Thus, the bottom, planar surface of the videocamera 18 enjoys an expansive mounting surface that includes not onlythe camera mount 26, but also the entire area of the upper first half 14of the battery assembly 12. Stability and of the video camera 18 isthereby dramatically increased.

As can also be seen in FIG. 2, the camera mount 26 itself includes thesame typical mounting apparatus as is commonly found on known tripods,including a threaded stud 34 and a location post 36. It will thereforebe readily appreciated that the camera mount 26 may be selectively andreleasably connected to the bottom, planar surface of the video camera18 in the same manner as conventional video cameras are connected toconventional tripods.

Indeed, it is another important aspect of the present invention that themeans for attaching the video camera 18 to the battery assembly 12 makesuse of the conventional threaded bore formed in the bottom, planarsurface of known video cameras, thus making the present invention usableby all known video cameras currently on the market without requiring anystructural alteration thereof. Moreover, as the underside of the cameramount 26 is itself a planar surface, any video camera equipped with thecamera mount 26 may still be placed upon a support surface, ground orthe like, after the camera mount 26 is disengaged from the batteryassembly 12 (via operation of the actuation lever 28). Thus, the cameramount 26 of the present invention not only enables the selective matingof the video camera 18 with the battery assembly 12, but does so in amanner that does not destroy the ability of the video camera 18 to beutilized as a stand-alone piece of equipment.

It is still yet another important aspect of the present invention thatthe camera mount 26 permits the quick-release of the video camera 18from the battery assembly 12 without the necessity of unscrewing thethreaded stud 34. In this regard, it will be appreciated that operationof the actuation lever 28 permits the camera mount 26 to disengagebattery assembly 12 in a quick and easy fashion, thus speeding batteryreplacement time.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the lower second half 16 of the battery assembly12 is now depicted in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the second (orbottom) half 16 of the battery assembly 12 is formed to define amounting area 38 which, in essence, takes the same form as the knownmounting structure typically defined on the bottom of known videocameras. That is, the mounting area 38 also includes a threaded bore 40and a positioning hole 42 to accommodate the selective and releasableconnection to a typical tripod.

It will therefore be readily appreciated from a review of FIGS. 1-3 incombination that the present invention is capable of not only mountingany known video camera to any known tripod assembly in a mannerheretofore unknown in the art, but does so in a manner that utilizes theknown and unaltered structures of both the video camera 18 and thetripod 20. Moreover, removal of the camera mount 26 and the batteryassembly 12 is easily facilitated, and may be readily accomplished if auser desired to mount the video camera 18 directly to the tripod 20.

While the present invention has been described in connection with thespecific structures shown in FIGS. 1-3, the camera assembly 10 is not solimited in this regard. That is, instead of the mounting area 38 beingformed in the housing of the battery assembly 12 (as shown in FIG. 3),the mounting area may alternatively be formed as a removable plate,similar to the construction and configuration of the camera mount 26.Likewise, there is no necessity for the housing of the battery assembly12 to be formed in two, top and bottom, halves, nor does the batteryassembly 12 need to have any specific shape or design in order toaccomplish the present invention. Indeed, the shape and design of thecamera mount 26, and of the related locking plates 32, may also take analternate form without departing from the broader aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one such alternative design. As shown in FIG. 4, thecamera mount 26 not only includes the dove-tail edges 30, but alsodefines a plurality of locking hubs 44 for selective engagement withmatching receptacles 46 formed in the alternatively configured lockingplates 32 and 33. The locking plate 33 is designed to pivot into itslocking position and may be secured in this position via the operationof a manual locking lever 35.

Also illustrated in FIG. 4 is two piece power adapter and cord 48wherein a first portion 50 of the power adapter is designed to bemounted to known rear battery mounts formed on the video camera 18. Thefirst portion 50 may then be selectively disengaged, via a snap fit orthe like, to a second portion 52 of the adapter 48 when it is desired totransport the camera assembly 10 as a whole, and without having tototally disengage the adapter 48 from the battery terminals formed onthe video camera 18. FIG. 5 illustrates the camera assembly 10, shown inFIG. 4, in its operative relationship.

FIG. 6 shows the basic operation of the locking plates 32 and 33 as thecamera mount 26 is captured therebetween via operation of the lockinglever 33.

Still yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIGS. 7-9. In contrast to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6 where powerwas communicated from the battery assembly 12 to the video camera 18 viaan integrated power adapter and cord 22, the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9contemplates the direct transmission of electrical energy between thesetwo devices.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of active, and preferably spring loaded,electrical terminals 54 are formed in the depression 29 of the batteryassembly 12. The terminals 54 communicate with matching electricalterminals 56 formed in the body of the camera mount 26, shown in FIG. 8in its attached condition to the bottom, planar surface of the videocamera 18. In operation, the electrical energy from the battery assembly12 will be capable of direct communication with the video camera 18 viamatching terminals 54 and 56.

It is therefore still yet another important aspect of the presentinvention that the battery assembly 12 is not only ergonomicallydisposed on the bottom, planar surface of the video camera 18, but thatterminals 54 and 56 obviate the need for extraneous power adapters andcords in order to transmit electrical energy from the battery assembly12 to the video camera 18. The present embodiment therefore eliminatesthe cumbersome power adapter and cord, and potential snags thereon,while reducing component parts for the camera assembly 10 as a whole.

Of course, the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8 require thatthe video camera 18 also be modified from what is currently known in theart. That is, the present invention additionally contemplates a newconfiguration for video cameras in that instead of locating the batteryterminals on the side or rear of a video camera (such as is known in theart and shown in FIGS. 1 and 5), the present invention envisions thatthe internal circuitry of the video camera 18 be reconfigured so as toreposition these terminals to the bottom, planar surface of the videocamera 18. In doing so, the present invention frees up valuable space atthe rear of the video camera for use in supporting new functions and/orcontrols 58, as shown in FIG. 9, as well as permitting the repositioningof known media inserts and/or function controls 58 in a manner thatgreatly increases their ease of use while enabling a level ofuser-observation not currently possible with known video cameras.

FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 10, the battery assembly 60 is releasably and selectivelydisposed between the video camera 62 and the tripod 64 via a batteryclip 66. As shown in FIG. 11, the battery clip 66 functions as a cameramount (similar to the camera mounts of the preceding embodiments) andincludes a top bracket 68 and a bottom bracket 70. The top bracket 68includes a threaded stud 72 and a location post 74 for mating with thethreaded hole formed in the bottom, planar surface of the video camera18 (similar to the attributes of the camera mount 26 shown in FIGS. 2and 4).

The bottom bracket 70 defines a mounting area 76, which, in essence,takes the same general form as the known mounting structure typicallydefined on the bottom of known video cameras. That is, the mounting area76 also includes a threaded bore 78 and a positioning hole 80 toaccommodate the selective and releasable connection to a typical tripod,or the like.

Turning now to the battery assembly 60 in particular, FIG. 11 depicts abracket depression 82 formed in the housing thereof. It should be notedthat the bracket depression 82 is formed on both the upper half andlower half of the battery assembly 60, and is sized to closely-fit thetop and bottom brackets, 68 and 70 respectively, when the batteryassembly 60 is pushed between the top and bottom brackets, 68 and 70.

Although the bracket depression 82 has been described as being formed onboth the upper half and lower half of the battery assembly 60, thepresent invention is not so limited in this regard as the bracketdepression may alternatively be formed on only the upper half (that is,the half facing and in contact with the bottom, planar surface of thevideo camera 18) of the battery assembly 60, without departing from thebroader aspects of the present invention.

It is an important aspect of the present invention that the bracketdepressions 82 not only provide a close-fitting partner to the top andbottom brackets, 68 and 70, but that by being recessed into the housingof the battery assembly 60, the bracket depressions 82 ensure that thebottom, planar surface of the video camera 18 rests upon a large,substantially uni-planar area and is therefore more stable. That is, thebracket depressions 82 are formed to be of substantially the same depthas the brackets 68 and 70 are thick, therefore the bottom, planarsurface of the video camera 18 experiences, in combination with themounted battery assembly 60, a substantially continuous and planarsurface upon which to rest when the video camera 18 is mounted to thebattery clip 66.

Still yet another important aspect of the present invention lies in theability of the battery clip 66 to permit the removal or replacement ofthe battery assembly 60 therefrom, all without ever having to threadedlydisengage the video camera 18 from mechanical connection to the tripod64. That is, once the battery clip 66 has been operatively connected(via its top and bottom brackets 68 and 70) to the video camera 18 andthe tripod 64, a user of the video camera 18 need never structurallydisengage the video camera 18 from the tripod 64 during replacement ofthe battery assembly 60. When replacement of the battery assembly 60 isdesired, a user need only remove the battery assembly 60 from itsfriction or snap-fit orientation between the brackets 68 and 70, allwithout requiring the time consuming and often frustrating experience ofdisengaging the threaded fasteners of the system. Thereafter,replacement with a recharged battery assembly may likewise be easilyaccomplished by the mere insertion of another battery assembly 60between the brackets 68 and 70, again without the need for any tooling,or operation of any threaded fasteners.

While the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the use of a poweradapter and cord 84, the present invention is not limited in thisregard. Indeed, similar to the embodiment disclosed in connection withFIGS. 7-9, the battery clip 66 may also support battery terminals onone, or both, of the top and bottom brackets, 68 and 70. These batteryterminals formed in the top and bottom brackets 68 and 70 willcommunicate with similar, preferably spring loaded, terminals formed inthe bracket depressions 82 of the battery assembly 60 for the purposesof transmitting electrical power from the battery assembly 60 to thevideo camera 62. Once again, the video camera 62 would also have todisplay battery terminals on the bottom, planar surface in order tofacilitate the most efficient transfer of such electrical power.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention, which buildsupon the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 10 and 11. Asshown in FIG. 12, one or more battery clips 66 may be stacked in aserial, or cascading, manner, one on top of the other. In doing so, thepresent invention permits the positioning of several batter assembliesbeneath the video camera 62.

The battery assembly 60 has been described as being in a friction orsnap-fit orientation between the brackets 68 and 70. That is, oneembodiment of the present invention is to design the battery clip 66such that its close fitting nature in relation to the bracketdepressions 82 provides enough of a frictional fit that the batteryassembly 60 securely rests therein. The present invention alsocontemplates providing the battery clip 66 with a spring biased latchmechanism 68, shown in FIG. 12. The latch mechanism 68 shown in FIG. 12includes a upwardly extending latch member 70 which is biased via abiasing coil spring 72, or the like, in a direction of contact with thebattery assembly 60. The battery assembly 60 itself has a latchdepression formed in the bottom half thereof, which communicates withthe spring biased latch member 70 to secure the battery assembly 60 inthe battery clip 66.

As further shown in FIG. 12, when the distal end 74 of the latchmechanism 68 is pressed upwards against the biasing force of the coilspring 72, in the general direction U, the latch member 70 will pivotand disengage from the latch depression formed in the bottom half of thebattery assembly 60, thus freeing the battery assembly 60 to be removedfrom the battery clip 66.

Still yet another embodiment of a latching mechanism may be attributedto the battery clip 66, as shown in FIGS. 13-13B. As depicted in FIGS.13-13B, the battery clip 66 may alternatively be formed to include alatching mechanism 76 having a slidable, squeeze-style tab 78. The tab78 itself includes a latch member 80 which is biased via a biasing leafspring 82, or the like, in a direction of contact with a latching cavity84 formed in the rear of the battery assembly 60. Upon squeezing the tab78, the latch member 80 will disengage from the latching cavity 84, thusfreeing the battery assembly 60 to be removed from the battery clip 66.

In consideration of the embodiments discussed in connection with FIGS.10-13, it will be readily appreciated that in the case where theelectrical power from the battery assembly 60 to the video camera 62 isaccomplished with a power adapter and cord 84, the inclusion ofmultiple, stacked battery assemblies permits a user to almostinstantaneously change from one battery assembly to the other, allwithout ever having to threadedly disengage the video camera 62 from thetripod 64. Still further, in those cases where the battery clip 66 isequipped with battery terminals, it would be possible to cascade theelectrical power from multiple battery assemblies to the video camera62, without any extraneous wires, in a manner not heretofore known inthe art.

FIG. 14 yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 14, a video camera 90 may have a mounting block 82 defined on thebottom, planar surface 94 of the video camera 90. The mounting block 90may itself include structural mounting fixtures 96, as well aselectrical terminals 98, for providing electrical and structuralcommunication with a battery assembly 100. As further shown in FIG. 14,the battery assembly 100 includes mounting posts 102, which operativelymatch with the mounting fixtures 96 formed in the mounting block 92.Moreover, the battery assembly 100 also includes an electrical terminalblock 104 capable of accommodating the electrical terminals 98, forcommunicating electrical power from the battery assembly 100 to thevideo camera 90.

The battery assembly 100 further defines a mounting area 106, which, inessence, takes the same form as the known mounting structure typicallydefined on the bottom of known video cameras. That is, the mounting area106 includes a threaded bore 108 and a positioning hole 110 toaccommodate the selective and releasable connection to a typical tripod.

It is therefore another important aspect of the present invention that,whichever disclosed embodiment is utilized, one half of the batteryassembly defines a mechanism or structure to permit the selective andreleasable attachment of the battery assembly to the bottom, planarsurface of the video camera, while the other half of the batteryassembly defines a mechanism or structure to permit the selective andreleasable attachment of the battery assembly to a tripod, or the like.

By designing the battery assembly to have opposing halves, each halfbeing individually adapted to utilize the known attachment meansexisting on known video cameras and tripods, the present inventionprovides for the ergonomic mounting of a battery assembly to the bottom,planar surface of a video camera without sacrificing the ability of thevideo camera to be mounted upon a tripod, or the like.

FIGS. 15-21 illustrates a video camera assembly 190 according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention. As best seen in FIGS. 15and 16, the video camera assembly 190 includes a battery assembly 200having a housing comprised of an upper first half 214 and a lower bottomhalf 216. Together, the matable upper half 214 and lower half 216 definean inner chamber for accommodating one or more energy cells therein. Aprinted circuit board may also be located within the inner chamber, andoperatively connected to the energy cells, to be utilized in a knownfashion to assist in the management of the power cells, or the like.

As discussed previously, the energy cells are preferably rechargeablelithium ion batteries, or the like, however the present invention is notso limited in this regard as the energy cells may alternatively be anytype or manner of portable power cells, including fuel cells, withoutdeparting from the broader aspects of the present invention.

Returning to FIG. 15, the battery assembly 200 is selectively andreleasably connected between a video camera 202 and an unillustratedtripod assembly, similar to the configuration of FIG. 1. It should beappreciated that although the battery assembly 200 has been described asbeing operatively positioned between a video camera 202 and a tripodassembly, the present invention is not so limited in this regard as thepresent invention may be mounted to any electrical device, regardless ofits nature, that is equipped with a matching threaded bore and apositioning hole, without departing from the broader aspects of thepresent invention.

Similar to the previously discussed embodiments, the battery assembly200 is selectively and releasably mounted to both an electronic device,such as but not limited to the video camera 202, as well as a tripodassembly. The battery assembly 200 is releasably fixed to the bottom,planar surface of the video camera 202 and greatly increases theergonomic configuration of the camera assembly 190 as a whole. That is,by locating the weight of the battery assembly 200 directly beneath thevideo camera 190, as opposed to extending outwardly therefrom as inknown video camera systems, the present invention avoids the creation ofany unintended and undesirable moments to the video camera 202. Indeed,the weight of the battery assembly 200 works in concert with theattachment mechanisms to seat the video camera 202 more firmly and withgreater stability than would otherwise be possible if the batteryassembly 200 were extending outwardly from the video camera.

As further shown in FIG. 16 is a power adapter and cord 220 which isoperatively and electrically connected between the video camera 202 andthe battery assembly 200, and provides operating power from the batteryassembly 200 to the video camera 202 and its various accessories. Asshown in FIG. 16, the power adapter and cord 220 includes a right angleconnector 240 for effectuating the electrical connection with thebattery assembly 200. It will readily be appreciated that the rightangle connector 240 resists disengagement from the housing of thebattery assembly 200 should the power adapter and cord 220 be pulled viaits cord portion.

The power adapter and cord 220 is designed to releasably mate with apower receptacle 242 formed in the housing of the battery assembly 200,as best seen in FIG. 16. Both the receptacle 242 and the plug portion244 of the adapter and power cord 220 define multiple electricalconductors/pins 246 to provide for various operating requirements, suchas but not limited to battery charging, battery discharging (either tothe video camera 202 or another accessory device), data input/output,and the like. FIG. 18 illustrates a reverse-angle view of the plugportion 244 of the adapter and power cord 220 in which the multiple pins246 are shown.

The power adapter and cord 220 of the present invention is adapted toreleasably mate to the existing battery terminals typically formed onthe back or sides of known video cameras. FIG. 15 depicts a typicalbattery mounting area 248 in the rear wall/side of the video camera 202,while FIG. 19 illustrates the housing 250 of the adapter portion of theadapter and power cord 220.

As shown in FIG. 19, the housing 250 is preferably formed as two halves,a first half 252 and an integrally mated second half 254. The first andsecond halves, 252 and 254 respectively, may be selectivelydisengageable from one another, thereby enabling the removal of thesecond half 254 from the video camera 202 during transportation or thelike, while leaving the first half 252 attached to the video camera 202in area 248. In this manner, the present invention permits the powercord and adapter 220 to be quickly and easily attached or detached fromthe video camera 202. FIG. 20 is a partial view of the inside of thefirst half 252 of the housing 250, in which molded in electricalcontacts 256 are shown.

Returning to FIGS. 16 and 17, a camera mount 260 is shown which isutilized to selectively and releasably connect the battery assembly 200to the video camera 202. The camera mount, or mounting plate, 260includes a threaded post 261 and a locating pin 263, and therefore maybe selectively mounted to any electrical device, and in particular avideo camera, that itself defines matching mounting means for thethreaded post 261 and the locating pin 263.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the camera mount 260 comprises alow-profile plate which may be releasably and securely fixed into aclose-fitting depression 262 formed in the upper first half 214 of thebattery assembly 200 via the operation of a spring biased actuationslide 264. To assist in the selective fixing of the camera mount 260 tothe battery assembly 200, the low-profile plate includes chamfered ordove-tailed edges 266 that work in concert with matching edges of thedepression 262.

FIG. 16 illustrates that the dove-tailed edges 266 of the mounting plate266 have a compound profile. That is, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 16A, thedove-tailed edges 266 each include an upper and a lower inwardly slopedside, 273 and 275 respectively, while the depression 262 includessidewalls having a matching profile. Still further, the mounting plate260 defines a rear back-beveled side wall 277, which slopes downwardlyand inwardly from the top surface of the mounting plate 260. Theback-beveled side wall 277 slides along a rear wall 279 of thedepression 262 so as to facilitate ease of integration between themounting plate 260 and the depression 262.

Once inserted into the depression 262, the mounting plate 260 is securedtherein via the contoured edges 266 acting in concert with thefrictional force of a locking cam 268. When the actuation slide 264 ismoved in a direction U against its spring biasing force, the locking cam268 will retreat out of the depression 262 and into the housing of thebattery assembly 200, thereby permitting the mounting plate 260unfettered access to the depression. Once situated therein, an operatorwould release the actuation slide 264, thereby permitting the lockingcam 268 to reassert its position within the depression 262. As theprofile 270 of the locking cam 268 abuts the face 272 of the mountingplate 260, the mounting plate 260 will become fixed and nested withinthe depression until the actuation slide 264 is again moved in thedirection U.

Similar to the other embodiments discussed previously, it is anotherimportant aspect of the present invention that the close-fittingdepression 262 is sized to substantially match the thickness of thecamera mount 260. That is, when secured within the close-fittingdepression 262, the top, exposed surface of the camera mount 260 issubstantially flush with the upper first half 214 of the batteryassembly 200. Thus, the bottom, planar surface of the video camera 202enjoys an expansive mounting surface that includes not only the cameramount 260, but also the entire area of the upper first half 214 of thebattery assembly 200. Stability and of the video camera 202 is therebydramatically increased.

Given that the camera mount 260 itself includes the same typicalmounting apparatus as is commonly found on known tripods, including thethreaded post 261 and a location pin 263, it will therefore be readilyappreciated that the camera mount 260 may be selectively and releasablyconnected to the bottom, planar surface of any known video camera in thesame manner as conventional video cameras are connected to conventionaltripods.

Indeed, it is another important aspect of the present invention that themeans for attaching the video camera 202 to the battery assembly 200makes use of the conventional threaded bore formed in the bottom, planarsurface of known video cameras, thus making the present invention usableby all known video cameras (as well as all known still cameras and otherimage recording devices, binoculars and the like) currently on themarket without requiring any structural alteration thereof. Moreover, asthe underside of the camera mount 260 is itself a planar surface, anyvideo camera equipped with the camera mount 260 may still be placed upona support surface, ground or the like, after the camera mount 260 isdisengaged from the battery assembly 200 (via operation of the actuationslide 264). Thus, the camera mount 260 of the present invention not onlyenables the selective mating of the video camera 202 with the batteryassembly 200, but does so in a manner that does not destroy the abilityof the video camera 202 to be utilized as a stand-alone piece ofequipment.

It is still yet another important aspect of the present invention thatthe camera mount 260 permits the quick-release of the video camera 202from the battery assembly 200 without the necessity of unscrewing thethreaded post 261. In this regard, it will be appreciated that operationof the actuation slide 264 permits the camera mount 260 to disengagefrom the battery assembly 200 in a quick and easy fashion, thus speedingbattery replacement time.

Turning now to FIG. 21, the lower second half 216 of the batteryassembly 200 is now depicted in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 21, thesecond (or bottom) half 216 of the battery assembly 200 is formed todefine a mounting area 280 which, in essence, takes the same form as theknown mounting structure typically defined on the bottom of known videocameras. That is, the mounting area 280 also includes a threaded bore282 and a positioning hole 284 to accommodate the selective andreleasable connection to a typical tripod, or the like.

FIG. 21 further depicts a series of visual indicators 286 defined in aside of the battery assembly 200. The visual indicators 286 arepreferably LEDs and serve to indicate to a user the status of the powercells housed within the battery assembly 200. Location of the visualindicators 286 on the side of the battery assembly 200 ensures that whenthe battery assembly 200 is mounted between a video camera and a tripod,the operator can still view the visual indicators 286. While three,preferably LED-type, visual indicators 286 are shown in FIG. 21, it willbe appreciated that any number or type of indicator may be alternativelyutilized without departing from the broader aspects of the presentinvention. Moreover, the nature of the information communicated by thevisual indicators 286 is not itself limited in any way, and will changein dependence upon the nature of the content within the battery assembly200, whether that content is power cells of some type, or a DVD/CD diskdrive, or the like.

Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, the embodiment shown in FIGS.15-21 may also include a plurality of electrical contacts formed in andthrough the mounting plate 260. In this manner, and provided the videocamera (or other electrical device) has defined thereon matchingelectrical contacts, the mounting plate 260 will transmit electricalpower directly to the underside of the video camera, without the needfor any adapter or power cord. Indeed, the present invention envisionsthat electrical contacts formed on the mounting plate 260 can supply thevideo camera 202 with operating power, while the battery assembly 200also communicates additional power to various accessory devices(photographic lights, click drives, or the like) via the receptacle 242.In this manner, several electrical devices can be powered from a singlebattery assembly 200. Still further, more than one battery assembly 200may be cascaded atop one another and captured as a group between a videocamera and a tripod, each of the battery assemblies powering the same ordiffering electrical devices and accessories, as discussed above.

It will therefore be readily appreciated from a review of FIGS. 15-21 incombination that the present invention is capable of not only mountingany known video camera to any known tripod assembly in a mannerheretofore unknown in the art, but does so in a manner that utilizes theknown and unaltered structures of both the video camera 202 and anyknown tripod. Moreover, removal of the camera mount 260 and the batteryassembly 200 is easily facilitated, and may be readily accomplished if auser desired to mount the video camera 202 directly to a tripod.

The present invention therefore proposes a power supply for videocameras that not only stabilizes (rather than destabilizing) the videocamera to which it is attached, but also completely reforms the videocamera industry. That is, the concept of placing battery assembliesbeneath the bottom, planar surface of a video camera completely freesthe rear and side of the video camera for greater functionability thanever before. Still further, by equipping the battery assembly with,preferably, spring biased battery terminals, and by forming matchingbattery terminals on the bottom, planar surface of the video cameraitself, the present invention completely eliminates the necessity ofhaving extraneous power cords.

Moreover, by adding one or more battery assemblies 10 to a camera, andin particular by adding these additional battery assemblies 10 to thebottom, planar surface of a video camera, the present inventionadvantageously affects the ergonomics of the camera itself. The weightof the connected battery assemblies 10 is low and substantially locatedat the center of mass of the camera, as opposed to extending outwardlyfrom the camera body as in known devices. Moreover, by adding cascadedbattery assemblies 10 to the bottom of a video camera, the presentinvention increases the overall weight of the camera to a varyingamount, thereby assisting in the reduction of hand tremble, whileincreasing the ability of an operator to accomplish smooth transition,tilt and pan operations.

It is yet another important aspect of the present invention thatelectrical contacts be formed on the bottom, planar surface of a videocamera. More particularly, the present invention contemplates utilizingthat portion of a video camera historically reserved solely for mountingupon a tripod or other support platform. By placing the location of thebattery contacts upon this bottom, planar surface of a camera, thepresent invention not only facilitates the productive use of theadditional weight afforded by the battery assemblies 10 (as discussedabove), but also permits the redesign of new cameras. That is, byremoving battery contacts from the rear or side of camera housings,where they typically exist, this space may be utilized to provide otherfunctions to the camera operator.

It will be readily appreciated that the battery assembly also preferablyhouses rechargeable lithium ion batteries, or the like, as well asproviding an electrical plug connector for providing corded power supplyto an accessory device of the camera itself.

Regardless of the chosen embodiment, the present invention provides amechanical mounting means for the cascading and connection of multiplebattery assemblies to a camera or tripod system, without sacrificingease of operation or causing unwieldy weight distribution.

The present invention also vastly increases the possible portable powercapacity of known camera systems, but does so in a manner that increasesthe operability of the system as a whole.

Still further, by arranging the electrical battery power for a videocamera on the bottom planar surface of the video camera, the presentinvention not only provides for a non-corded manner of electricallyconnecting multiple, cascaded battery assemblies directly to the cameraand/or tripod, but also permits for the complete redesigning of knowncamera controls, grips and displays. Together, the redesigned bottom ofa video camera, and the discussed mechanical mounting means formed inthe housing of a battery assembly, provide for a substantial increase inthe functionality and operability of known video camera systems.

As discussed herein, the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-21 are adaptedto suspend a battery assembly beneath an electrical device, such as animage recording device. Moreover, the present invention enables theplacement of power cells beneath a video camera without destroying theability of the video camera to easily mount to a known supportapparatus, tripod or the like. The present invention, however, is not solimited in this regard. Indeed, the present invention equallycontemplates that in lieu of power cells, a DVD/CD disk drive, datadevice or the like may instead be releasably suspended beneath a videocamera via the mounting plate and housing discussed previously.

It can therefore be envisioned that a video camera system utilizing thepresent invention could conceivably have a first battery assemblyattached to the underside of the video camera, and then cascadedthereunder could be suspended a DVD disk drive, and then a secondbattery assembly, all of which are captured between the video camera anda tripod device. The first battery assembly, the DVD disk drive and thesecond battery assembly would all be in electrical communication withone another, if desired, and provided the various mounting platesassociated with each housing included integral electrical contacts(similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8). Even if the varioushousings did not have integral electrical contacts in their respectivemounting plates, the DVD disk drive could conceivably be powered by thesecond battery assembly, while the video camera or lights could bepowered by the first battery assembly.

While the invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substitutedfor elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not belimited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the inventionincludes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A video camera, comprising: an image gathering device; a recording means for recording live motion images detected by said image gathering device; a threaded bore defined in a bottom surface of said video camera; and a power terminal defined on said bottom surface of said video camera, said power terminal communicating electrical power to said video camera when a power supply is in electrical communication with said power terminal.
 2. The video camera system according to claim 1, further comprising: a battery assembly containing an energy cell therein, said battery assembly being releasably coupled to said threaded bore and communicating power from said energy cell to said video camera via a battery contact that is in electrical communication with said power terminal when said battery assembly is connected to said video camera.
 3. The video camera system according to claim 1, further comprising: a data terminal defined in said bottom surface of said video camera; and an electronic storage device releasably coupled to said threaded bore and communicating data between said energy cell and said video camera via a data contact that is in electrical communication with said data terminal when said electronic storage device is connected to said video camera.
 4. The video camera system according to claim 3, wherein: said electronic storage device is one of a DVD and a CD.
 5. A video camera, comprising: an image gathering device; a recording means for recording images detected by said image gathering device; an attachment means defined on a bottom surface of said video camera, said attachment means enabling said video camera to be mounted to a support structure; and a power terminal defined on said bottom surface of said video camera, said power terminal providing electrical power to said video camera when a power supply is in electrical communication with said power terminal.
 6. The video camera system according to claim 5, further comprising: a battery assembly containing an energy cell therein, said battery assembly being releasably coupled to said attachment means and communicating power from said energy cell to said video camera via a battery contact that is in electrical communication with said power terminal when said battery assembly is connected to said video camera.
 7. The video camera system according to claim 5, further comprising: a data terminal defined in said bottom surface of said video camera; and an electronic storage device releasably coupled to said attachment means and communicating data between said energy cell and said video camera via a data contact that is in electrical communication with said data terminal when said electronic storage device is connected to said video camera.
 8. The video camera system according to claim 7, wherein: said electronic storage device is one of a DVD and a CD.
 9. An adapter plate for suspending an energy cell beneath an electrical apparatus, said adapter plate comprising: an upper wall having a threaded post defined thereon; a lower wall having a threaded bore defined therein; a side wall extending between distal ends of said upper and lower walls, said upper wall, said lower wall and said side wall together defining a C-shaped docking bay; and wherein said energy cell is releasably accommodated within said C-shaped docking bay.
 10. The adapter plate for suspending an energy cell beneath an image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: one of said upper wall and said lower wall includes a resilient engagement mechanism for releasably securing said energy cell within said C-shaped docking bay.
 11. The adapter plate for suspending an energy cell beneath an image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: said upper wall includes an upper electrical contact defined therein, wherein electrical energy from said energy cell is communication through said adapter plate via said upper electrical contact, and to said electrical device when said electrical device is secured to said threaded post.
 12. The adapter plate for suspending an energy cell beneath an image recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: said adapter plate further includes a lower electrical contact defined in said lower wall, so as to provide for electrical communication through said lower wall.
 13. A battery assembly for providing a quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus, said battery assembly comprising: a housing having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface and said second surface being on opposing sides of said housing; a threaded bore defined on said second surface; a depression formed in said first surface; an energy cell disposed within said housing; and a mounting plate releasably secured within said depression, said mounting plate including a threaded post formed thereon.
 14. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a latching means in operative communication with said depression, wherein manual operation of said latching means releasably secures said mounting plate within said depression.
 15. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: operation of said latching means causes a locking cam to selectively protrude into said depression and bear upon said mounting plate, thereby securing said mounting plate in said depression.
 16. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: said battery assembly includes a visual indicator for communicating a predetermined characteristic of said energy cell.
 17. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: said mounting plate includes an electrical communication means for communicating electrical power of said energy cell through said mounting plate and to said image recording apparatus. 